Device for locating and possibly retrieving an object which has fallen into the water

ABSTRACT

A device for locating and possibly retrieving an object which has fallen into the water, such as, for example, a key, a bunch of keys, a mobile telephone, a pair of glasses, a piece of equipment or a person or an animal. The device has a holder that can be connected to the object and a float that is connected in a disconnectable manner to the holder. A connecting cord connects the holder to the float.  
     The device further has a liquid-absorbing element, which expands when it absorbs liquid as a result of the object falling into the water, in such a way that the float disconnects from the holder and rises to the surface, while the connection by means of the connecting cord is retained.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a device for locating and possibly bringing to the surface an object which has fallen into the water, such as, for example, a key, a bunch of keys, a mobile telephone, a pair of glasses, a piece of equipment or a person or an animal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In water sports in particular, the retrieval of objects that have fallen into the water is a known problem, in particular if the water is relatively deep and/or relatively turbid. Owing to the relatively great depth and/or turbidity of the water, objects that have sunk may be relatively difficult or totally impossible for a person, who is generally in a situation above the surface of the water, to see and locate. If the objects are of value to a holder or owner, such as a key or a bunch of keys, a purse, or a mobile telephone, and in particular the SIM card in the telephone, it is generally important, or very important, to locate these precious objects and bring them back to the holder or owner.

[0003] Relatively large floats (bobbers) that can be attached to the object are known in the prior art, these enabling the float together with the object to stay afloat in the water. In this way it can be ensured that the object does not sink, so that it can no longer be located. Since the dimensioning of the float is based on the weight of the object connected to the float(s), relatively large and rather unwieldy, impractical floats are generally needed for making the object float.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The object of the invention is to provide a device by means of which an object that has sunk—irrespective of its weight—can be located in the water in a practical manner and, if the strength of the connecting cord permits, can be brought to the surface of the water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The invention provides a device for locating and possibly bringing to the surface an object which has fallen into the water, such as, for example, a key, a bunch of keys, a mobile telephone, a pair of glasses, a piece of equipment or a person or an animal, which device comprises:

[0006] a holder that can be connected to the object,

[0007] a float that is connected in a disconnectable manner to the holder,

[0008] a connecting cord that connects the holder to the float,

[0009] a liquid-absorbing element, which expands when it absorbs liquid as a result of the object falling into the water, in such a way that the float becomes disconnected from the holder and rises to the surface, while the connection by means of the connecting cord is retained.

[0010] The disconnection of the holder and the float has the major advantage that the location of the object—in contrast with the prior art—is not based on buoyancy of the float in relation to the mass of the object, but that objects can be located by means of the device, irrespective of the size and weight. Consequently, an additional advantage is that the float can be made in relatively small dimensions, and therefore in a handy size. It is therefore possible to connect the device permanently to the object without causing nuisance to one carrying of a combination of the object and the device according to the invention.

[0011] The device is preferably provided with one or more discharge channels for discharging gas from the space in which the liquid-absorbing element is accommodated. Since the liquid-absorbing element is generally surrounded by a gaseous medium, in particular atmospheric air, before it is placed in the liquid, the gas has to be removed in order to permit liquid to be supplied to the liquid-absorbing element, after which the liquid-absorbing element can absorb liquid. The discharge of gas can be achieved by way of the supply channels for the liquid, but separate channels are preferably used in order to prevent, or at any rate counteract, obstruction of the medium exchange (gas-liquid). In a special preferred embodiment the device is provided with several discharge channels, in order to permit the medium exchange to be speeded up and optimized. The discharge channels are preferably formed in the holder. The discharge aperture is then positioned in such a way that gas present in the device can be removed rapidly and adequately from the device. In the case of special constructions of the device it is also conceivable to provide the discharge aperture in an element that projects from the floating chamber. The one or more discharge channels are preferably formed by a labyrinth construction provided in the holder. The use of a labyrinth construction has the advantage that substantially only gas conveyance is possible by way of the labyrinth construction, and liquid conveyance by way of the labyrinth construction can be prevented or at any rate can be at least substantially counteracted. The labyrinth construction thus ensures a splash-proof device, so that the liquid can only come into contact with the liquid-absorbing element when the device is immersed (completely) in the liquid. In a special embodiment the labyrinth construction is provided in a part of the holder facing away from the object, or in the case of a special construction in a part of the float facing away from the object. During the sinking of the combination of the device and the object connected to the device, the object will generally have the highest mass and the least buoyancy, so that the object is therefore positioned in a bottom position relative to the device. Owing to the abovementioned mutual orientation of the object and the device during sinking, the special orientation of the labyrinth construction in the holder leads to a rapid and simple discharge of gas present around the liquid-absorbing element.

[0012] The liquid supply is preferably formed by a supply channel provided in the holder. The supply aperture then lies in the outer perimeter of the holder, and the supply channel opens into a space containing the liquid-absorbing element, in order to permit optimization of liquid supply to the liquid-absorbing element. The supply aperture of the supply channel is preferably provided in a part of the holder facing the object, in order to permit optimization of the liquid supply during the sinking of the device. It should be clear that if the special orientation of the supply aperture is used together with the special orientation of the discharge aperture of the discharge channel, the medium exchange can generally occur in the optimum manner. In a special preferred embodiment the device is provided with several supply channels, in order to speed up the supply of liquid to the liquid-absorbing element.

[0013] The liquid-absorbing element is preferably made of a dry, spongy (plastic) material that expands under the supply of liquid. The advantage of a (compressed) spongy material is that it can soak up (absorb) a relatively large amount of liquid relatively rapidly with relatively great initial expansion of the sponge. The initial expansion of the compressed sponge may be accompanied by an expansion force of several kilograms, which is generally sufficient to result in a disconnection of the holder and the floating chamber. The expansion force is preferably greater than 0.5 kilograms, particularly preferably greater than 1 kilogram, for example 2.5 kilograms.

[0014] In another preferred embodiment the float is connected to a reel element for accommodating at least part of the cord in a wound-up state. The cord, or at any rate part of it, can then be wound neatly around the reel, so that knots cannot form and the cord can be prevented from extending in a non-flowing manner after disconnection from the floating chamber and the holder. The length of the cord is preferably at least one metre, in particular at least five metres, or particularly preferably at least ten metres. The cord must in particular be sufficiently long to be able to bridge at least the depth of the liquid.

[0015] The cord preferably has a breaking strength of at least 5 kilograms, more preferably at least 25 kilograms, most preferably at least 100 kilograms. The thickness of the cord in this case is preferably low, preferably a maximum of 2 millimetres, particularly preferably a maximum of 1 millimetre. The cord is preferably made of ultra-strong plastic material, for example a polyethylene cord, preferably Dyneema®, which with a diameter of 1 millimetre has a breaking strength of over 200 kilograms.

[0016] The specific weight of the cord is preferably lower than that of water, so that the cord does not load the float. Dyneema® also has that property.

[0017] In yet another preferred embodiment the device is provided with two separate floats. In order to be able to locate the (temporarily) lost object, it is essential for the holder and the float to be disconnected. If the float unexpectedly fails to become disconnected from the object in the liquid, the object generally cannot be located. The chance of it not being possible to locate an object is minimized by providing the device with two separate floats, each connected to the holder by way of its own connecting cord, since (generally) at least one float will always disconnect from the holder, with the result that location of the object can (always) be achieved.

[0018] The float is preferably made of a luminescent or fluorescent material. The float, and thus the object that has sunk can therefore be located even at low light intensity (such as during twilight or in fog).

[0019] The invention will be explained with reference to the non-limitative exemplary embodiments shown in the figures that follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020]FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention;

[0021]FIG. 2 shows a cross section of the device shown in FIG. 1;

[0022]FIG. 3 shows a side view of a combination of a bunch of keys and the device according to FIG. 1 that is connected to the bunch of keys, after they have sunk in a liquid;

[0023]FIG. 4 shows a cross section of a second embodiment of a device according to the invention; and

[0024]FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a mobile telephone and a second embodiment of a device according to the invention interacting with the mobile telephone.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] A first embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0026] The device 1 comprises a substantially tubular holder 2, which at one end has a connecting element 3 for connecting to an object (not shown), and at the other end has an aperture for receiving the float, which float will be explained further below.

[0027] The holder 2 thus forms an accommodation space 4 for a float 5, which is provided with an internal air chamber. The float 5 is fixed in a disconnectable manner under preload to the holder 2. For example, the float 5 is fitted in a force fit in the holder 2, so that said float is connected with a retaining force to the holder.

[0028] A compressed sponge 7 is present between the float 5 and the holder 2, in such a way that when the sponge 7 expands as a result of water absorption, the sponge 7 exerts upon the float 5 a disconnection force that exceeds the retaining force.

[0029] A connecting cord 15 is also accommodated in the accommodation space 4 of the holder 2, which connecting cord is connected at one end to the holder 2, and at an opposite end is connected to the float 5.

[0030] The holder 2 is provided with two supply channels 8 for water and with three discharge channels 9 for air during the time that the device 1 goes under water. Both the supply channels 8 and the discharge channels 9 are also connected to a space 10 surrounding the sponge 7.

[0031] If the device 1 connected to an object (with a density greater than (or equal to) 1 kg/dm³, the density of water) is immersed in a liquid, the air surrounding the sponge 7 will be discharged by way of discharge channels 9, and the discharged air will be replaced by water by way of supply channels 8.

[0032] The sponge 7 will absorb the water that has flowed in, in the course of which the sponge will expand. The expansion of the sponge 7 causes opposing pressure forces on the holder 2, on the one hand, and on the float 5, on the other hand. If the pressure forces are sufficiently great, the holder 2 and the float 5 will be disconnected (apart from the permanent cord connection by way of cord 15). The float 5 will rise to the surface of the water, with the result that the float 5, and therefore the object which has sunk, can be located.

[0033] In FIG. 2 it can be seen that the holder 2 is composed of an outer housing 10 and an inner housing 11 accommodated in the outer housing. The outer housing 10 is provided with the connecting element 3 and the supply channels 8 for liquid. The float 5 accommodated in the accommodation space 4 is composed of two cylinders 12, 13, which are slidable coaxially in each other, with the result that an at least substantially medium-tight air chamber is formed. The float 5 is provided with a reel 14, around which part of a cord 15 is wound, which cord 15, as already said, is connected at one end 16 to the inner housing 11 of the casing 2 and at an opposite end 17 is connected to the float 5, for example by clamping of the end of the cord between the two cylinders 12, 13, which interact with each other. The compressed sponge 7 accommodated in the space 10 is surrounded by the inner housing 11 and the reel 14.

[0034]FIG. 3 shows a side view of a combination of a bunch of keys 18 sunk in a liquid and the device 1 according to FIGS. 1 and 2 connected to the bunch of keys 18. Since, as a result of water absorption, the expansion of the sponge 7 has led to disconnection of the float 5 and the casing 2, the float 5 has risen to the surface of the water 19. The casing 2 and the bunch of keys 18 can be raised by means of the cord 15 after location of the air chamber 5.

[0035]FIG. 4 shows a cross section of a second embodiment of a device 20 according to the invention. The device 20 is provided with a holder 21, which is provided with a connecting element 22 for connecting the device 20 to an object. The holder 21 is also provided with a reel 23 around which a cord 24, or part of said cord, is wound. The holder 21 is at least partially surrounded by a float 25, which float is connected under preload by means of resilient lips 26 to projections 27 of the holder 21. The float 25 has a floating chamber 28, which is filled with a gas, liquid or solid with a density lower than water. In another situation the float 28 can even enclose a vacuum. A (compressed) sponge 35 is present between the float 25 and the holder 21. The cord 24 wound around the reel 23 is connected both to the holder 21 and to the float 25. The float 25 is provided with four apertures 29 for the supply of liquid and discharge of air surrounding the sponge 35. The holder 21 and the float 25 are disconnected during expansion of the sponge 35, as a result of sufficient water absorption.

[0036]FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a mobile telephone 30 and a second embodiment of a device 31 according to the invention interacting with the mobile telephone 30. The device is clamped around a part of the telephone 30 by means of lips 32. The device 31 is provided with a casing 33 for two floats 34, which are connected in a disconnectable manner to the casing 33. A sponge is positioned between each float 34 and the casing 33, which sponge expands during the absorption of liquid and in doing so can disconnect the float 34 from the casing 33. The casing 33 and each air chamber 34 are, however, always connected by a cord (during normal use), but after disconnection there is no longer a direct connection (without the interposition of an additional element) between the casing 33 and the air chamber(s) 34. For a more detailed specification of the functioning of the illustrated device 31, reference is made back to FIGS. 1-4. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for locating and possibly retrieving an object which has fallen into the water, such as, for example, a key, a bunch of keys, a mobile telephone, a pair of glasses, a piece of equipment or a person or an animal, which device comprises: a holder that can be connected to an object, a float that is connected in a disconnectable manner to the holder, a connecting cord that connects the holder to the float, a liquid-absorbing element, which expands when it absorbs liquid as a result of the object falling into the water, in such a way that the float disconnects from the holder and rises to the surface, while the connection by means of the connecting cord is retained.
 2. A device according to claim 1, in which the float is connected with a retaining force to the holder, and in which the expansion of the liquid-absorbing element provides a disconnection force that exceeds the retaining force.
 3. A device according to claim 1, in which the liquid-absorbing element is accommodated in the holder, one or more supply channels being present for the supply of water to the liquid-absorbing element.
 4. A device according to claim 1, in which the liquid-absorbing element is disposed between the holder and the float.
 5. A device according to claim 1, in which the float is accommodated in a force fit in the holder.
 6. A device according to claim 1, in which one or more spring elements are provided, which spring elements retain the float in a disconnectable manner in the holder.
 7. A device according to claim 1, in which the liquid-absorbing element is disposed under preload between the float and the holder.
 8. Device according to claim 1, in which the liquid-absorbing element is accommodated in a corresponding space in the holder, to which space the one or more liquid supply channels connect, and one or more discharge channels being provided in order to discharge gas from the space under the influence of the inflowing water.
 9. Device according to claim 1, in which the connecting means for the object are fitted on the side of the holder facing away from the float.
 10. Device according to claim 1, in which one or more supply channels have a supply aperture on the side of the device facing the connecting means for the object.
 11. Device according to claim 1, in which the device comprises a reel element around which at least part of the cord is wound. 